Description
Click here for an CycleVIN Motorcycle History Report on this 2001 Honda CBR929RR Erion Racing. Additional photos are available here for your perusal.
Far from a bored-out version of its predecessor, the CBR929RR was an all-new model. In fact, the only pieces that were interchangeable from the outgoing model were the countershaft sprocket and clutch plates – everything else was completely novel. At the heart of the 929 was an all-new over square engine that made some major advancements over the first Fireblade. Thanks to a cleverly-designed high-flowing cylinder head and a bevy of trick lightweight internals, the 929 produced significantly more power than the 900 at higher RPM. The 929 also featured Honda’s PGM-FI and 40mm Keihin throttle bodies — with one injector per cylinder — developed with Honda specifically for the 929.
The package also included the firm’s HTEV (Honda Titanium Exhaust Valves), as well as a flapper valve in the airbox to bolster mid-range power. The liquid-cooled, four-stroke, DOHC, 929cc, four-cylinder engine put down 152 hp at 10,750 rpm and 76.1 ft-lbs of torque at 9,000 rpm — a major jump over the first double-R. Admittedly, the Honda was a little down on power compared to the Yamaha, however, the RR more than made up for it in the corners. The 929 offered excellent handling, largely thanks to its new “pivot-less” frame design. Gone was the old perimeter structure, and in its place was a twin-spar aluminum unit which utilized the powertrain as a stressed member and mounting point for the swingarm and backbone. Because the swingarm pivot was positioned in the engine case, the swingarm – which like the frame was both lighter and more rigid than the outgoing model’s — was able to be stretched by 20mm, despite the wheelbase being 5mm shorter.
While the original 900RR featured a front-end designed to look like an inverted unit, the 929 featured an actual pair of upside-down forks; a 43mm HMAS (Honda Multi-Action System) set that was fully adjustable, just like the piggyback-reservoir-equipped monoshock. Stopping power came from dual 330mm discs pinched by four-pot Nissin calipers, and as Cycle World put it, they “refuse to fade”. Another major change on the 929 was its 17-inch front-wheel.
Similar to the 900RR, a major theme in the 929’s design was keeping weight to a minimum. Baba’s team did a remarkable job of finding places to shave off weight, such as the rear brake caliper which is 5.3oz lighter than the old model’s. Weighing in at around 430 lbs wet — a full 15 lbs less than the R1 — the 929RR was capable of hitting speeds of over 175 mph.
Though it was only produced for two years before being replaced by the CBR954RR, the 929 did receive a few minor updates, such as a revised ECU for 2001. That same year, Big Red also introduced several new liveries for the 929, including a limited edition Erion Racing version to celebrate the team’s ample competition success. Founded by AMA National titleholder and former racer, Kevin Erion, Erion Racing is an American race team with a whopping 14 AMA National Championships under its belt. The team utilizes Hondas and managed to win four consecutive titles in the Formula Xtreme series from 1997 through 2000 (and then again in 2006 and 2007). The Erion Racing CBR929RR featured a black, white, and red livery borrowed straight from the team’s AMA race bike.
We acquired this example (VIN: JH2SC44311M100217) in September of 2020 on eBay from the original owner in Royersford, Pennsylvania. He bought it new from Kiss Cycles in Pottstown, Pennsylvania (no longer in business).
We were planning on making it stock but a walk-in customer wanted it as-is, so we sold it in early October with approximately 7,500 miles. The seller’s now found something else he wants more, so he’s letting this 929 go. The odometer now shows 7,654 miles.
Modifications: (all done by the original owner)
Erion Racing exhaust and Power Commander 2 “with Erion map”.
Sticker package emulating the Formula Xtreme race bike, frame sliders, and Gregg’s Customs LED flush mount front signals.
Custom seat covers.
Tail tidy.
There are scratches on the left fairings.
Currently located at our facility in Santa Monica, California (please make an appointment for a viewing), this Honda is offered on a clean Pennsylvania title. Have any 929 stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the comments!
